High-pitched political battle: Who said what

New Delhi: Despite what the post-poll numbers say, both Congress and BJP are exuding confidence.

The Congress has already held two high-level meetings to take stock - one at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence and another at party President Sonia Gandhi's residence. The mood in the party is upbeat with an internal assessment giving it up to 160 to 175 seats.

The party is expecting to retain its old allies, among them the LJP's Ramvilas Paswan who is expected to reveal his mind on government formation at a press conference on Thursday.

Exit polls have given Congress and its allies a slight edge over the BJP and NDA.

However, a potential ally of the Congress, the Samajwadi Party is revealing its cards yet. "Exit polls are just a eyewash. When they predicted I will win only four seats, I won 27. I cannot say anything before May 16," Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav said.

On the other hand, the Left has already made its poll-poll agenda clear - it won't allow BJP to form the government and if Congress refuses to back the Third front and it is prepared to sit in the Oposition.

It may look shaky right now, but CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat is confident the Third Front will emerge as a formidable front. He told CNN-IBN, "The Left parties and also our allies in the Third Front will not give BJP an opportunity to exploit the post-poll situation to install its government. That is clear. We, the Left parties and also our allies in the Third Front, always have the last option of sitting in the Opposition."

He also slammed exit polls saying he doesn't believe in them after exit poll predictions said that the Left may not get over 40 seats.

In the meantime, CPM National Secretary D Raja confirmed once again that the Left will strive for a non-Congress non-BJP government. "We don't want BJP to take advantage of any situation that emerges. We will strive for an alternate government, a non-Congress, non-BJP option."

Meanwhile, stamping out all speculation about his surprise visit to Sonia Gandhi's residence, H D Kumaraswamy said the JD(S) is very much with the Third Front.

"I met the Congress President only to discuss about Karnataka politics. Other than that we haven't discussed anything. We are and will be in the Third Front. There is no confusion at all. Whatever decision the Third Front takes, our party will stand by that decision. The decision will be taken unilaterally and we cannot take individual decisions," he said.

In response to Karat and D Raja, the BJP says it doesn't matter what the Left's agenda is. Speaking to CNN-IBN, BJP Spokesperson Prakash Javdekar marginalised the Left's role in government formation, saying they are not the kingmakers.

"Left will not be the kingmakers. Left will not be calling the shots. Every party will take decisions separately," Javadekar said.

The BJP core group is scheduled to meet at the party's prime ministerial candidate, L K Advani's residence. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was in the Capital to attend the meeting and discuss post poll options.

"The reason for my visit is political. I am here for the post poll talks. There is nothing to hide," Modi said on Thursday.

"I came here after I was called by Advaniji and Rajnathji. I also met Murli Manohar Joshi as well. The BJP will be the single largest party and NDA the single largest alliance and the people will give us the chance to serve the country with full majority," he added.

Modi is expected to play a crucial role in the party's talks with the AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa. With exit polls projecting a photo finish, the party has to rope in as many allies as possible if it wants to form the government.

The NDA camp is eyeing Jayalalithaa, Mayawati, Mamata and the TDP for a post-poll arrangement. The options were discussed at the BJP core committee meeting.

"If we will fall short of majority, we will talk to new allies. We are already in talks with new allies," said BJP President Rajnath Singh.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj is confident that the BJP will win with a majority. She also said that exit polls have no relevance on the final results.

"We are happy that we are being shown on the second place in the exit polls because the last time, it was the one in the second place who formed the government. It is a matter of only two days. BJP will definitely be the single largest party and there will be a big difference in the seats, unlike the last time," she stated.

TDP President Chandrbabu Naidu has said that exit polls never reflect the correct figures and can't be trusted.

"All exit polls are not true. The way they take samples is very important. Sometimes they take less samples and it may not reflect the true scenario. We can't depend on exit polls. On Wednesday, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat made it clear that after May 16, we will meet in Delhi and then we will finalise our stand. NDA , UPA and Third Front - nobodty has the figures. We all are short of figures. How to get the support is what we will discuss," Naidu said.

TDP leader Yerran Naidu said that all options are open as far as the party is concerned.

The Congress too has said that any decision on post-poll alliances with the Left will only be taken after May 16. Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan has also said that Congress won't withdraw support to the DMK in Tamil Nadu.

Congress leader Digvijay Singh said, "We consider BJP and Shiv Sena communal but our options are open. We do not consider Jayalalitha communal. Jayalalithaa has never indicated her affection or preference for Narendra Modi. All things will become clear on May 16 when the results are out. Any discussion, any talk before that doesn't have any meaning.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena is not ruling out the possibility of backing Sharad Pawar for the prime minister's post.

"Backing Pawar's bid for PM's post is not there in our minds but if either NCP gets a large number of seats or BJP gets very few seats, that could be considered," said Sena leader Manohar Joshi.

In the meantime, the Left has accused US of interfering in India's internal affairs.

"Reports suggest that the US Ambassador is meeting political parties and was advising them on which other parties to support. This is interference in our internal matters. We condemn it," said Sitaram Yechury.

BETTING NUMBERS

So who are the bookies' favourite?

Punters are favouring the NDA as of now with the odds on it forming the next government at 97 paisa. This means every rupee bet on the NDA forming the government will give you Rs 1.97 in return. The odds on a UPA Government are longer Rs 1.03. The Third Front is a distant third at Rs 25.

But here's the dichotomy - Manmohan Singh is the hot favourite for prime minister and the the odds on him becoming the prime minister again are Rs 1.90. L K Advani's chances are slim at Rs 2.60.

The odds on the Congress getting 145 seats stand at Rs 2.15. Punters giving the NDA getting 145 seats little chance at Rs 3.50.

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